Purer than White and Heavier than Silk Brocade

Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem

Gardenias are the roses of God’s realm.

Refusing all the lurid colors of

The rainbow rose, gardenias overwhelm

The senses with three symbols of true love:

The plenteous petal shape, the perfect white—

And perfect fragrance flowing from the throne

Of Christ in perfect potency.  These fight

Against the garish roses, lurid tone

Of red and yellow and of orange.  The rose

Selection can’t make up its clownish mind

Patched up in harlequin and tacky clothes

Enough to drive the tasteful man near blind.

  The purity, gardenia white, composed

    With weight spreads velvet fragrance, God disposed.

March 26 2026